OK, I’m probably going to be banned by PADI for posting this but I don’t care. First, someone mentioned ecards. PADI charges for those too.
I agree that PADI charges way too much for cards and replacements and they also refuse to combine card certs so I have to carry a separate card as a rescue diver, nitrox card, etc. I carry the cards I need and I noticed that in less then a year my cards were turning to crap yet my bank debit card is in great condition and I’ve had that card for 3 years and use it multiple times per day. I wrote PADI an angry email regarding the quality of their cards. They did not respond so I figured they blew me off. About 3 weeks later I got mail from PADI that included brand new FREE replacement cards.
Moral to the story: The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Complain to PADI like I did. Eventually they will have to make changes. If not then maybe you’ll at least get free cards like I did.